A comparison of GPS and scatterometer sensing of ocean wind speed and direction

Abstract

Initial estimates of ocean surface wind speed and direction based on observations of reflected GPS signals are presented and compared to QuikSCAT wind fields. The two wind speed estimates are generally in agreement to within 2-3 m/s, and under favorable conditions of well developed seas and stable winds, direction estimates agree to within 10 deg. An overview of the GPS technique is presented as well as a presentation and discussion of these first results.